St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-01-05
THE BRIDGE FIGHT.
Franklin Avenue and Lake Street
Adherents Wranele Without Re


The council committee On roads and
bridges and the aldermen from the Second,
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth wards held a
joint meeting Yesterday afternoon to discuss
recommendations to be made to the council
as to the construction of bridges across the
river in South Minneapolis. A number of
citizens representing the Sixth and Seventh
wards were present, and the afternoon was
spent in listening to a discussion of the
claims for the needs and advantages of
bridges at Franklin avenue and Lake street.
Engineer Rinker submitted an estimate and
plans for a Pratt deck bridge at Lake street,
having six spans of 200 feet each, a road
way OF thirty-SX feet and two SiX-fOot side
walks at cost Of $117,3 for the sub
structure, S112. $50; total cost, $3.50. orc.
He reported verbally that a similar bridge
across the river at Franklin avenue 1000
feet long would cost $111.700. He also
said he had had prepared plans for bridge
from l, 500 to 1,600 feet long at Sixth ave-
nue. south running from the Manitoba via
duct OH the West side to Main street on the
East side, but gave no estimate of its cost.
ANANIMATED DISCUSSION
followed. The idea was advanced that the
eastern end of the Lake street bridge would
NC III ndlISCy GUILTY. anu lllCIClUIO IIldl
county would aid in its construction. Aid.
Swenson, however, claimed that the Ram
sey delegates to the legislature would be
opposed to the plan. Aid. Dwyer thought
the Lake street bridge would be of great
advantage to people desiring to go to st.
Paul. Aid. Haugan retorted that there are
already plenty of avenues Of connection be-
tween the Twin Cities. Aid. Dryer made
another plea for the claims of the Seventh
ward, and Aid. johnson suggested that the
Seventh ward should be annexed to the
Sixth ward-perhapS then they could agree
upon bridge at the foot of Washington.
Aid. Swenson, as an additional argument
for Franklin avenue, said that ID. A. J.
Baker, of Ramsey county, would donate a
right of way. Aid. Haugan then moved
that the committee report in favor of
Franklin avenue, and Aid. Dwyer promptly
amended by substituting Lake street for
Franklin. Aid. Morse offered an amend
| ment to the effect that no bridge be built at
Franklin avenue this year. which carried.
SIXTH WARD ELOQUENCE.
At this point Frank NJ. Nye was invited
to speak and made vigorous argument in
favor of the Franklin avenue bridge,
| dwelling upon the wonderful growth of the
Sixth ward and its vast commercial and
| manufacturing interests. The bridge
would form the connecting link between
Minneapolis and st. Paul, bringing them
| together and building up great metropolis
that would be the wonder and the pride of
the country. etc.
Ezra FarnSworth also advanced the need
| of the bridge for the accommodation of the
manufacturing interests and the working
people. He thought the Eighth ward should
not put in any claim for bridge, as it has
already received more improvements from
the city chan any other ward.
| Aid. Cooley said he had heard nothing in
| favor of the Franklin avenue bridge that
was not equally applicable to Lake street,
which Is naturally the continuous line from
| Calhoun boulevard to st. Paul via Merriam
Park and Manchester. A silent factor in
the question is the matter of benefit to
property and he ventured that the increase
in the tax valuations on Lake street would
| pay for the bridge within q year, while
Franklin avenue is already well built up.
AID. Haugan here renewed his motion in
| favor of Franklin avenue. Aid. Morse
amended by moving to lay on the table,
! Cooley to refer without recommendation.
Aid. Morse substituted a motion to refer
the whole matter to the council with the
explanation that the committee could not
| agree. This motion carried, Aldermen
Morse, Dyer, Barows, Pratt johnson,
Cooley. Babb and Phelps voting in the
| affirmative.